• BCH361- Practical

Introduction to Molecular Biology

Marks Distribution

Total = 25

Final =10 Quiz = 5 Report = 5 Homework =2 Presentation = 3

2

What is Molecular Biology ?

• "Molecular Biology" is the study of biology at the molecular level.

• Molecular biology is the study of essential cellular macromolecules, including DNA,

RNA, and proteins, and the biological pathways between them (replication,

transcription, translation).

• Researchers in Molecular Biology field, design and perform experiments

to gain insight into how these components operate, organization

and communicate.

• The techniques used for these studies are referred to as:

"Techniques of Molecular Biology".

3

Understanding Molecular Biology….Why it is important?

4

Understanding the molecular

basis of process and diseases.

Improves diagnostic tests for genetic diseases,

forensic DNA analysis, medicine, modern agriculture…etc

Find more effective

treatment.

Things you need to Know :

5

Molecular Biologist

Basic molecular biology

background

Techniques

Lab safety

Website Sources of information

6

Safety

Types of Hazards:

1. Biological hazards.

2. Chemical hazards:

-Ethidium bromide (EtBr).

3. Physical, Electrical and Mechanical hazards:

-Ultraviolet (UV) light.

-Electricity.

-Centrifugation.

7

Conducting a Successful Molecular Biology Experiment

8

Searching the scientific literature:

• The most fundamental skill in bioinformatics is the ability to carry out an

efficient and comprehensive search of the scientific literature to find out

what is known about a specific subject.

• Sources of information:

➔Books, Articles, Websites.

• Some academic research tools:

9

Types of scientific articles:

1. Primary research article:

➔ Peer-reviewed.

➔ New research.

➔Answer a question.

2. Review article:

➔ Peer-reviewed.

➔No new information.

➔ Good to start with.

10

How to search in PubMed:

11

Search box

(Key Words)

12

Publication

date

Article type

Articles

Home Work:

13

• Using some of the academic research tools that you learn them today, search for

a primary research article and a review article for the same topic.

➔Mention the research tool and the titles of the two articles.